Have Your Voice Heard: PART 2

If it seems like there are a lot of surveys out there….there are! This is a good thing. Government officials and land managers want input from the public. Technology has offered new ways to reach a bigger audience as well as analyze user data. Some folks say “Why did they do that?” or  “I wish they would do this”. The decisions are based on the feedback being collected (and things like budgets, policy, etc). Now, more than ever, it is important that climbers participate and share their voice. This doesn’t mean we will get everything we want but it will help establish us as a user group with a seat at the table. Sooooooo, onto the next survey……

The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation is undertaking a Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan (CRPOS) and EPAC supporting them in this effort as a Steering Committee member. 

The plan will make it easier for people to access the parks, recreational facilities, historic sites, and nature centers that make up the 9,000+ acre county park system. The plan will focus on ensuring that all parks meet the standards residents and users need and expect. It will provide forward-thinking and actionable recommendations to improve the county park system. In this first phase of ‘Listening and Learning’, the County is looking for input from people who live in Bucks County and visitors of the parks system to understand how people use the park system, what works well, and what could be improved. 

In addition, the Parks and Recreation department, supported by the consultant team for the project, will be popping up at different community events over the summer to spread the word. Look for them at the Tinicum Arts Festival on July 13th, the Arthropalooza at Churchville Nature Center on August 3rd, Silver Lake Nature Center Volunteer Day on September 7 th , and other events or activity areas in the parks.

The County will provide regular updates on its website (www.buckscounty.gov/ParkPlan) about what is going on with the project, the schedule, and opportunities for the public to get involved.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CLIMBERS?

• Whether you live or just climb in Bucks County (i.e. High Rocks), this is your chance to say something.
• You can help advance EPAC’s work at High Rocks by giving feedback for that specific site.
• You can shed light on inequities and the need for better accessibility.
• You can share your recreational experience elsewhere in the Buck County park system. Haycock is mostly State Game Land but things like roads and other amenities are County influenced.
• If you are traveling from outside of Bucks County then this is important to understand because it is part of our economic impact. 
• It demonstrates the power we have as a community as well as our willingness to be good partners and stewards.